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It’s party time for the kingdom this weekend as Bahrain celebrates its 46th National Day and His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s Accession Day with a raft of celebrations and events staged across the kingdom.
The main showpiece will be the annual fireworks fiesta at the Bahrain International Circuit, part of a foåur-day National Day Festival, which starts tomorrow.
The fireworks display will take place on Saturday and Sunday evenings, and across the four days there will be something for everybody at the festival, including a shopping bazaar featuring dozens of stalls representing local businesses, a wide variety of children’s activities and a play area, cultural and musical performances, and plenty of food and beverage outlets.
The live music will be highlighted by some of the Arab world’s most popular artists who will be performing live on each night of the festival.
Big names such as Hanan Redha, Khalid Fouad, Najwa Karam, Asala and Majid Al Mohandis will be taking to the main stage at the BIC vending area to delight the kingdom’s music lovers.
Hanan Redha and Khalid Fouad will be the first to perform tomorrow, before Lebanese songbird Najwa Karam on Friday and Bahraini superstar Asala on Saturday. Arab sensation Majid Al Mohandis will then bring the curtains down on the festival with a fantastic live show on Sunday.
The BIC’s gates open from 4pm-10pm on each day. Tickets cost 500 fils apiece for each day and they are available at the entrance.
All sectors of the business community are getting in on the act, with the kingdom’s malls hosting festivities to celebrate the momentous day, with numerous stores and hotels too adding their support.
On Saturday at 5pm, Saar Mall will hold a ceremony presented by Bahraini comedians Ali Al Ghurair and Khalil Al-Rumaithi, and artist Salwa Bukhait (Um Hilal) will be performing too. The celebrations will include the opening of the Dip N Dip outlet, competitions, prizes and a lucky draw to win free flights on Air Arabia.
Dragon City will launch its yearly Dragon Night Market on Friday, which will run through to January 6.
It will take place between 4pm-10pm every day and will feature promotions on a wide range of products including electronics, children’s toys, clothes, accessories and more.
The stalls will also provide a variety of food items with a National Day twist.
The Night Market, illuminated in Bahrain’s colours, will be a family affair and take place in front of Gate 12 amid a beautiful Chinese-themed backdrop, reflecting Dragon City’s traditional roots.
Patrick Zheng Shou, general manager of Chinamex, Dragon City’s operating company, said: “We were immensely pleased with the success of the previous edition of Dragon Night Market and resolve to make the upcoming event even bigger and better.
“As a leading family destination in the kingdom, Dragon City is always keen to host diverting events that offer not only great bargains to our visitors but a chance to create unforgettable memories.”
Even top jewellery brands are celebrating the occasion with Swarovski unveiling a series of pieces in the colours of the Bahrain flag. The Angelic Set and the Baron Set aim to add a ‘true sparkle to the National Day festivities’ this year, a spokesman for distributors Al Hawaj said.
